Holmedale Pre-School Limited

Inspection of Holmedale Pre-School Limited Ravensworth Village Hall, Richmond DL11 7ET

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Overall effectiveness Outstanding

The quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Outstanding

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The provision is outstanding

Parents say the pre-school has a strong 'family feel'. They have detailed knowledge about what their children learn and eagerly extend this at home. Staff know children extremely well, which helps them to precisely tailor children's care and education to their individual needs. This contributes to children's excellent achievements and their remarkable levels of confidence and self-esteem. Children are happy and at ease in the safe and stimulating environment. Relationships with staff are greatly supportive. Children demonstrate a strong sense of security and belonging.

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The provision is outstanding

Staff consistently challenge and support every child to be and do the very best that they can. Children have a highly positive attitude and an eagerness in everything they do. They have a love of learning, which is demonstrated in their curiosity and deep involvement in activities. They try very hard and show great pride when they manage new tasks.

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The provision is outstanding

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They are increasingly able to manage their feelings and frustrations, and show great care and consideration for their friends. For example, an older child noticed a younger child was hesitant to join the group for a snack. She took her by the hand and invited her to sit with her, reassuring her that she would take care of her.

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need to do better?

n Teaching is inspirational. Staff skilfully weave learning opportunities into all play experiences and routines. Children rapidly learn new skills and extend their knowledge through exciting activities that enthuse them. They develop a strong foundation of skills and knowledge that helps to prepare them extremely well for success in later learning. Reception-class teachers, who welcome children from the pre-school, say, 'You can spot a Holmedale child.' They say this is because they arrive at school ready to learn and with accomplished skills beyond expectations for their age. n Staff use rich, varied language during interactions with children and, additionally, teach children a word of the week. For example, when teaching the word 'sparkle', they provided glitter for craft activities and dressing-up outfits with sequins. During play, staff reinforce all the words that children learn, which build up each week. Children remember new words and use them in their play.

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need to do better?

They speak fluently, are extremely articulate and develop a wide and varied vocabulary. n Children excel in early literacy. Staff provide numerous opportunities for them to use their rapidly developing writing skills. For example, they matched and copied letters during a treasure hunt game in the sand. They use a range of writing

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need to do better?

8 November 2019 tools to successfully form letters, shapes and draw detailed pictures. Children show high levels of understanding in mathematics. For example, they completed simple sums. They calculated how many more, or less, pieces of fruit they needed to make a total of four on their plate. n Staff scrutinise their own practice and assess their impact on children's well- being, learning and development. This contributes to ongoing and sustained enhancements to the already outstanding provision. n The highly experienced manager supports staff extremely well. Staff describe her as inspirational. She shares her expertise with them, for example through observations of practice. Focused professional development opportunities help to enhance the already first-rate teaching. Staff feel valued and morale is extremely high. n Staff diligently ensure that children learn about the wider world, beyond their own experience of a small, rural community. Children discuss similarities and

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need to do better?

differences between themselves and others. For example, they used mirrors to talk about their facial features and compared their eye colour with friends. They talked with pride about what makes them special. n Children develop an excellent understanding of how to stay healthy. They confidently talked about the benefits of fruit, explaining that apples help you to remember things. They explained the benefits of eating cheese after fruit, as it helps remove sugars from their teeth. Hygiene routines are well embedded. Children wash their hands at key times without prompts and talk about how to prevent the spread of germs. n All children are remarkably independent and capable of managing their self-care needs extremely well. This is demonstrated, for example, when even the youngest children successfully use a knife and fork at mealtimes.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

Staff have extensive knowledge of child protection issues. They show a secure understanding of how to identify signs that a child may be at risk of harm. They are guided by clear procedures that are in line with current legislation. They know how to record and report concerns about a child's welfare. Children's safety is paramount in pre-school. Rigorous daily checks help to ensure that all areas are safe, secure and suitable for children's use. Staff teach children to consider their own safety and to be confident to share any worries or concerns they might have.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY474628 Local authority North Yorkshire Inspection number 10117739 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Full day care Age range of children 2 to 4 Total number of places 24 Number of children on roll 9 Name of registered person Holmedale Pre School Ltd

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reference number

Telephone number 07751 148805 Date of previous inspection 4 September 2014

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Information about this early years setting

Holmedale Pre-School Limited registered in 1997 and re-registered in 2014. There are a total of three members of childcare staff. Of these, all hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 or above, including the manager who holds early years professional status. The pre-school opens Tuesday to Friday, during term time only. Opening hours are 8.30am to 3pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for two- and three-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager showed the inspector around the pre-school. She talked about how the pre-school is organised and the aims for the care and education of children. n The inspector observed staff's teaching and care routines throughout the inspection. She assessed the impact of staff's practice on children's care, learning and development. n The manager and inspector worked together to evaluate teaching during an activity in the pre-school. n The inspector spoke to staff and children at appropriate times during the inspection. She also spoke to all parents who were present on the day and took account of their views. n The manager and inspector met to discuss issues relating to leadership and management. The inspector looked at relevant documents. This included evidence of the suitability checks carried out on staff, and their qualifications.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

8 November 2019 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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